Shortly after the Prime Minister stunned Westminster with her announcement Mr Carswell, who defected from the Conservatives in 2014 before quitting Ukip in March, said: "If you voted UKIP in 2015, it's job done".

The party’s leader Mr Nuttall said in response: "We welcome the opportunity to take Ukip's positive message to the country.

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"However, we believe that the Prime Minister's decision to call this election is a cynical decision driven more by the weakness of Corbyn's Labour Party rather than the good of the country.

"There is also the prospect of a slew of Tory held by-elections caused by the seeming systematic breach of electoral law at the last election, predominantly in places where Ukip were pressing the Conservatives hard."

He added: "We are in the midst of Brexit negotiations so this election will provide a perfect opportunity for the 52% to vote for Ukip, the only party wholeheartedly committed to a clean quick and efficient Brexit."

Meanwhile Ukip’s former donor Arron Banks confirmed he would be standing against Mr Carswell in the June 8 vote.

The insurance tycoon, who said he was planning to stand in Clacton in 2020, confirmed on twitter he will use the early election to try and oust the man he has long hated.

Mr Farage, who stood unsuccessfully for Parliament seven times - most recently in 2015, is yet to comment on today’s developments.

The former party leader posted a picture of himself on twitter with a large fish this morning.

He captioned it: “Had a great time catching Bluefin Tuna in the Adriatic Sea this weekend.”